Vietnam Family Holiday: Chopsticks and Coconuts

Take a flight from London to Hanoi.

(N)

Arrive in Hanoi and spend the rest of the day exploring the Vietnamese capital city. Featuring 14th century colonial era architecture, exploring Hanoi will take you back in time. In the evening, participate in a welcome brief and join the group for an optional dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Spend 2 nights at the May De Ville City Center or similar.

(N)

Go on a guided tour of the city in the morning. Along the way, you will check out the Hi Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and the Hoa Lo Prison.

From there, hop into a cyclo and ride through the Old Quarter. This part of Hanoi has 36 antique streets, where each street is named after the type of crafts on that individual street.

Enjoy free leisure for the rest of the day.

(B)

Go on a 4-hour journey to Halong Bay. If the weather permits, hop into a kayak and cruise through hard-to-reach spots on the island. Then enjoy a seafood lunch.

Stay overnight in a twin-share cabin boat.

(B, L, D)

Do some more cruising around Halong Bay and then return to port. Return to Hanoi and transfer to the airport to fly to Da Nang. Once you arrive, transfer to Hoi An and check into your hotel.

Spend 2 nights at Emm Hotel or similar.

(B)

In the morning, go on a guided walking tour of Hoi An. Between the 15th and 16th century Hoi An was a European settlement, with merchants from China and Japan. The remnants of that period are evident in the architecture, which include a mix of wooden merchant houses and temples of European, Chinese, and Japanese origin.

Enjoy free leisure in the afternoon. Then participate in a cooking class in the evening.

(B, D)

In the morning, get on a bicycle and ride through the gorgeous countryside. Along the way, you will pass through local markets, villages, and schools, and you will then reach Cua Dai beach. Bikes are available for children who are 3ft 9.5in and taller.

Enjoy free leisure at the beach in the afternoon. There is also an optional river boat trip.

In the evening, head to the train station at Da Nang. Then board the overnight train to Nha Trang. You may use the day rooms in the Hoi An hotel to freshen up before you depart for the train station at 6pm.

Stay on an overnight train.

(B)

Arrive in Nha Trang in the morning. Have breakfast and transfer to Whale Island. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in paradise and becoming familiar with your guesthouse.

Spend 2 nights at the Whale Island Resort or similar.

(N)

Go on a boat trip in the morning. Here you can go snorkeling and swimming and then enjoy a seafood lunch. There are a few optional trips in the afternoon. These trips include a visit to a local fish market, a temple, and a walking tour of the island.

(B, L)

You may have time in the morning for one last swim. Then transfer to the airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh city.

Spend 2 nights at the Huong Sen Hotel or similar.

(B)

In the morning, explore the Cu Chi tunnels. The intricate network of tunnels were constructed by the Viet Cong, in an attempt to combat the American and South Vietnamese armies.

Originally, the tunnels were very narrow, but have since been widened to be more accessible. However, those with claustrophobia may prefer to wait outside.

In the afternoon, explore more of Ho Chi Minh city.

(B)

In the morning, go for a 2.5-hour drive to Cai Be, located in the Mekong Delta. Cai Be is a floating market and prominent producer of fruit, coconuts, and sugarcane. You will explore the market by boat, visiting the riverside villages, and learning about the local produce. You can also witness local trade happening in real time.

After lunch, head to a cottage site and spend the evening at a homestay. Bedding and mosquito nets are provided.

Stay overnight at a homestay.

(B, D)

In the morning, go for a pleasant walk through the orchids, and explore the canals in a wooden sampan, a flat-bottom boat of Chinese and Malay origin. Afterwards, return to Ho Chi Minh City, and visit the Cao Dai temple on the way back.

Spend 2 nights at the Huong Sen Hotel or similar.

(B)

Enjoy a free day of leisure in Ho Chi Minh City. You can also go on an optional trip (paid locally) to the Dam Sen Water Park. The park has slides, a wave pool, and a dedicated Action pool for playing thrilling games like Twister and Boomerang.

To organize optional activities, talk to your advisor.

(B)

Say farewell to your group leader and fellow travelers. Then get on a departing flight for London.

(B)

Arrive back in London.

(N)